College of Architecture and the Built Environment

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About the College

Sustainability | Collaboration | Innovation

The College of Architecture and the Built Environment at PhilaU is dedicated to excellence in design with a focus on educating students for practice in the global market. Each of our programs emphasizes sustainable practice, collaboration and innovation. Sustainability is the key to the future of our environment. We are committed to ensuring that our graduates become-and remain-stewards of the natural and built environments.

Our lush, green campus in the historic Fairmount Park system is just minutes from Center City. We use Philadelphia as our urban lab, giving students collaborative, hands-on experience in a major metropolitan area with thriving design and construction industries. Our college partners with major corporations and nonprofit organizations providing students a professional, real-world experience and giving graduates a competitive advantage in their field. Our dynamic approach to education and our emphasis on collaborative learning, sustainability, and innovation prepares graduates to become future design professionals and leaders in sustainable integrated practice.

Academic Programs

Academic Programs

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Our 5-year professional architecture program prepares you to think and design for the future. From advanced design courses to business classes, and a focus on sustainability throughout, you will be ready to dive into careers upon graduation. You will collaborate with various disciplines on industry projects, gain valuable experience in internships and get a global perspective through study abroad programs. The NAAB-accredited program provides a challenging curriculum with a design studio sequence that is the core of the program comprehensively synthesizing all the courses into project-based learning.

Program Highlights

Focus on sustainability and building for the future.

Learn from an interdisciplinary faculty of professionals.

Master the skills to be a creative and innovative professional in the built environment.

With multiple starting tracks, the Master of Architecture program prepares students with any undergraduate degree to meet the demands of the architecture and built environment industries in the 21st century.

You will prepare for professional architectural practice by developing sustainable design and technology skills, knowledge of project management and collaborative experiences within an interdisciplinary environment, alongside students with diverse undergraduate experience.

The program ranges from a 48-credit minimum for those with advanced standing, to a 3+ year 99-credit degree program for students without previous experience.

Program Highlights

Gain sustainable design and technology skills and a knowledge of project management.

Learn through collaborative experiences in an interdisciplinary environment.

Earn your Master of Architecture in 2-3+ years, depending on previous experience.

This post-professional program is research-based and prepares students for specialist and consulting positions in the broad field of the built environment in the architecture, engineering and construction industries. You will be able to work in an office while conducting research, and can even get elective course credit for time spent in an office. This potential allows you to become an "imbedded researcher", working in practice while progressing toward your M.S. Professionals who want to make themselves more marketable by specializing in a vital area of architecture, such as high performance buildings and healthcare design, would benefit from this program.

The Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies program provides a customizable, pre-professional education. The opportunities to link courses from the professional degree in architecture with courses in the arts and sciences allow the student to find a comprehensive learning experience immersed in the field of architecture and the built environment. The curriculum brings foundation design studio, visualization, history, building science, historic preservation and photography courses together into this degree.

Concentrations Offered:

Our construction management program prepares you to be an ethical, innovative problem-solver who understands the complete construction business model. Our industry-centered curriculum will prepare you for leadership roles in this challenging, multi-faceted, competitive field, by emphasizing innovation and the importance of collaboration between business and design. You will prepare for your career through real-world experiences, working closely with other disciplines on commercial, residential, and industrial projects.

Program Highlights

Philadelphia University's M.S. in Construction Management is an innovative, multidisciplinary program with an unparalleled focus on sustainability and collaboration, where you will learn advanced real-world problem-solving techniques from a faculty of experienced industry professionals.

Program Highlights

Practical, Industry-Centered Curriculum

Hands-On, Collaborative Projects

Innovative Solutions

Expert Faculty

Sustainable Approach

1+1

In this one-year program, next generation designers of the built environment learn through a combination of advanced geospatial technologies and sustainable design practices. You will work on real projects in a highly-collaborative fast-paced, hands-on learning environment. Upon graduations, you will have the skills necessary to address complex design and planning problems with powerful geospatial visualization and analysis tools that foster meaningful collaboration among other build environment design professionals.

Philadelphia University’s interior design program prepares you to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and excellence in design, emphasizing creativity, real-world experiences and principles of sustainability. You will transform into an articulate, creative, inspired and socially aware design professional through interdisciplinary projects and a challenging sequence of 8 studio courses.

Program Highlights

Work with various disciplines and on real-world design projects.

Network with design firms through professional association memberships.

Gain valuable experience studying abroad and through internships.

4+1

Explore the 5-year B.S./M.S. combined program with the M.S. in Sustainable Design

In this variable length program, suitable for those without a design background and for those interested in bringing their knowledge and skills to a higher level, we integrate theory with the technical skills needed for excellence in practice. You will be immersed in the latest problem solving methodologies, current technologies for digital visual expression, and the integrated sustainable practices currently used by all professionals who contribute to the built environment. You will learn to work collaboratively and think critically to discover innovative solutions, and be prepared to work in firms in all areas of the profession.

Program Highlights

Our campus is minutes from downtown and will give you access to abundant networking and employment opportunities.

An internship requirement will give you hands-on experience for your career.

A faculty of practicing professionals provide you with insight and instruction in current practices.

DESIGN MAKING A DIFFERENCEWe believe in real problems + real people = real solutions.
If you have a passion for the environment and for people, our program will prepare you to address environmental problems through sustainable urban planning, design and restoration. You will learn to innovate, collaborate and create outdoor environments that reconnect us with nature, encourage healthy lifestyles and tackle climate change and natural disasters. Our hands on experiential learning increases our students' design creativity, knowledge and skills so they can take their place as engaged citizens and professionals who want to solve the pressing problems of today's world.

Developed by top sustainability practitioners and experts, this award-winning program fuses design, engineering and industry, emphasizing market-driven innovation to help you become a leader in global sustainability. With both online, on-campus and certificate options, the curriculum focuses on mastering integrative sustainable design practices leading to high performing resilient projects.

Program Highlights

Gain hands on experience on projects with real clients.

Prepare to address and solve 21st century environmental problems.

Online options allow you to progress in the field at your convenience.

4+1

Explore the 5-year B.S./M.S. combined program with B.S. Interior Design